Ways of Applying Cyclic Stresses

• Materials can be subjected to cyclic stresses in three ways: axial, torsional and flexural. Imagine you have a rod of a particular material. Axial stresses are applied by compressing or stretching the rod lengthwise. Torsional stresses are applied by twisting each end of the rod in opposite directions. Flexural forces are applied by bending the rod into a U-shape.